Education

This February, we highlight the white-tailed jackrabbit, a Tier II at-risk species in Nebraska. Story by Olivia DaRugna, Watchable Wildlife Biologist Jackrabbits are always a treat to see. Their awkwardly large ears and eyes and long hind legs give them a cartoonish appearance. Although “rabbit” is in their name, jackrabbits are actually hares, which are precocial, meaning they are born with fur, open eyes and are able to move soon after birth. The white-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus townsendii) is similar in …

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators have scheduled interesting and engaging events for the curious in March. Here are some opportunities: Little Saplings program presents Spring Migration Adults looking to explore the outdoors with their young children are invited to Little Saplings, a monthly early childhood nature discovery program at Schramm Education Center near Gretna. The 2023 series continues March 1 with the theme Spring Migration at 9 a.m. It is designed for children ages 2-5 and their adult caregiver. …

By Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist For animals, to simply live is only part of their battle. An organism also needs to succeed in attracting a suitable mate in the hopes of passing on their genes to the next generation. Animals, similarly to people, will use a wide range of strategies to get themselves out there in the mating market. These strategies are often referred to as courtship displays, which are often required before copulation, and therefore reproduction, can occur. …

Nebraska Game and Parks, in collaboration with the Platte Basin Timelapse project, released expanded wetlands educational content on World Wetlands Day, Feb. 2. These new resources offer the opportunity to learn about Nebraska’s five diverse wetland types, as well as grow one’s understanding of their importance to the state, its people and its wildlife. Expanded content includes: Five documentary films about Nebraska’s wetlands and the wildlife and people who depend on them. These films, created by Platte Basin Timelapse at …

Winter offers the best opportunities for viewing these large birds of prey. By Olivia DaRugna, Watchable Wildlife Biologist Is there an animal more majestic than the bald eagle? A once-endangered bird due to insecticides, including DDT, and hunting, bald eagles have rebounded and are now flourishing across the country. They represent one of America’s greatest conservation success stories. In Nebraska, bald eagles can be observed year round, but arguably, winter offers the best opportunities for viewing these large birds of …

Bushcaft. Have you heard the term? If run in outdoor circles like I do you probably have. Do you know what it means? It was brought to my attention recently, and I did not have a good explanation of its definition. So, I turned to Nebraskan Sam Larson, who is a renown, well-traveled Bushcraft (there’s that word again) Instructor and Wilderness Skills Expert and winner of the popular TV show survival challenge ALONE – Mongolia on the HISTORY Channel. He …

By Ted LaGrange, Wetland Program Manager When my oldest child was in elementary school in the 1990s, I was invited to give a class presentation on wetlands. When I asked the students if Nebraska had any wetlands and whether any cool animals lived in them, I was shocked to hear them say, “No.” They knew more about the Everglades of Florida and the Amazon of South America than they did about wetlands in their own state. I wanted to fix …

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators have scheduled interesting and engaging events for the curious in February. Here are some opportunities: Nature Inquiry Workshop Series set for early childhood educators The Nature Inquiry Workshop Series, a weekly virtual event for early childhood educators, continues Feb. 7. The free, virtual workshop, which begins at 6 p.m., will explore wildlife sign and tracks. Educators will learn how to facilitate inquiry-based learning, which prioritizes a learner’s questions and ideas by engaging their sense …

By Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist One of my favorite activities to do with students is to dissect owl pellets. Now, before you freak out about children looking through poop or puke, take a step back and know that it is neither. A pellet is a pellet, but what exactly is it? Owls are raptors, or birds of prey. Simply put, they hunt and eat the animals that they catch. These birds will eat a variety of prey, such as …

By Olivia DaRugna, Watchable Wildlife Biologist Don’t let cold temperatures keep you cooped up inside this winter. January is a great time to look and listen for owls, an activity known as “owling.” Regardless of where you live in Nebraska or your birding skill level, anyone can enjoy watching and listening for owls. Owls are one of the earliest nesting birds in Nebraska, and because of this, winter is a great time to listen for them. Great horned owls (Bubo …